Organic-Mediated Mineral Transport and Force Transduction in an Ultrahard Biological Composite: Biochemistry 8.1
Abstract
The overall objectives of the project are to investigate the nano- and microstructural features of the immature (i.e., non-mineralized and partially mineralized) chiton radular teeth as well as the supporting flexible stylus. These investigations will be combined with chemical (and phase) composition and mechanical properties in order to investigate the effects of the underlying organic framework on (i) providing pathways for mineral transport, (ii) templating mineral nucleation and growth and (iii) serving as a scaffold that interfaces a flexible organic structure with (and transduces force to) a stiff dense component. The information gleaned from these investigations will be used to provide both design and synthesis platforms for lightweight multifunctional composites. Based on our preliminary data, we believe that through the careful control of organic synthesis and hierarchical assembly, the local and global architectures of inorganic / organic composite can be modulated to increase the damage tolerance of these ultrahard materials, while providing utility.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 31, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1110917
Entities
People
- David J Kisailus
Organizations
- University of California, Riverside